Satellite Communications History
« Previous EntriesSatellite Communication
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009Satellite Communication began with the launch of the world’s first communications satellite in 1962 by AT&T which was named the Telstar. It was the first satellite to transmit telephone conversation to the other end of the Atlantic Ocean. In the nest year, Syncom 2 was launched as a geostationary communications satellite and in the year after that, Syncom 3 was launched to relay the first television pictures across the Pacific Ocean. Ever since, there have been a growing number of satellites that have been placed in the orbit for communication purposes.
What on Earth is a Satellite?
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008When we think of a satellite we often think of the large electronic contraption that orbits our earth and allows us to have things like cell phones, TV broadcasts from other parts of the world and the Internet. It allows us to take pictures of our earth, guide missiles and perform a variety of other tasks we often take for granted. The thing is, a satellite is really ANY object that orbits another. The earth is a satellite to the sun as our moon is a satellite to our earth. However popular usage has confused an artificial satellite with an actual satellite. Now many scientists refer to the moon and other objects like it as a natural satellite. If you think about it, the electrons that orbit our nucleus in our bodies are considered a nano satellite. WE HAVE SATELLITES IN OUR BODIES! THEY”RE EVERYWHERE!
Satellite Communications Systems-Increased Popularity
Thursday, December 20th, 2007Satellite communications systems are becoming more popular as the increased demand for worldwide communications increases. Users want to be a phone call away from any corner of the planet and satellite communications systems allow this to happen. The old physical connections for traditional POTS lines and data connections are no longer meeting this rapid requirement for worldwide communications and is limited in regards to mobility and flexibility.
Satellite communications systems are almost a requirement for today’s and tomorrow’s technology and communication requirements. Hard line cables both fiber and twisted pair cannot be laid in all parts of the world and this is mostly due to the cost benefit analysis and in some cases the unstable nature of particular geographic locations.
The satellite communications systems include the Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites. LEO satellites are preferred to geo stationary satellites because the geo stationary satellite communications systems introduce delay into the transmission and varies based on the distance at which the satellite orbits and to the ground stations. LEO satellite communications systems have become the “go to” satellite communications system of choice and are used with satellite phone systems.
The LEO satellite communications systems works as a network, using multiple LEO satellite called a constellation. They operate in a constellation because of their close proximity to the surface of the earth which can take them out of the earth stations line of site for certain periods in time. So when one satellite moves from the earth stations line of sight another LEO satellite will take its place.
No matter their use, whether commercial, government, military or private individual use, satellite communications systems will lead the charge in the future of the telecommunications and information technology industries.
A Historical Look At Satellite Television
Friday, November 30th, 2007Satellite television is TV broadcasted and delivered via a communications satellite device in geostationary orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth. This contrasts with conventional terrestrial television and cable television, providing a broader range of channels and services comprised of subscription-only services and a basic package of channels. The satellite maintains a specific position in space. Signals are beamed up to the satellite from an Earth station, then relayed back down again to be received by a dish. Satellites can deliver both analogue and digital services.
The first satellite television signal was transmitted from Europe to the Telstar satellite over North America in 1962. The first geosynchronous communication satellite, Syncom 2 was launched in 1963. A device called Early Bird, the world’s first commercial communication satellite, was launched into synchronous orbit on April 6, 1965. In 1967 the Soviet Union created ORBITA, the first national network of satellite television. This device was employed on the principle of using the highly elliptical Molniya satellite for re-broadcasting and delivering of TV signal to ground downlink stations. Canada created geostationary Anik 1, the first domestic North American satellite to carry television in 1972. Launched in 1974, the world saw the first experimental educational and Direct Broadcast Satellite ATS-6 come into being. In 1976, Ekran, the first Soviet geostationary satellite to carry Direct-To-Home television was successfully launched.
Satellite Communications History – The First Communications Satellite
Monday, October 29th, 2007Some say that after the Soviet’s launch of Sputnik I, the benefits, profits, and prestige of satellite communications was what drove the United States into the space race with their rivals. Satellite communications history was made when the first real organized entity was formed to handle space exploration. July of 1958 the U.S. Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act that formed NASA.
Although NASA was formed as a scientific and “peaceful” research organization the U.S. Congress ensured that we did not lose our strategic advantage in the arms race with the Soviet Union. They gave the Department of Defense responsibility for developing and launching active communications satellites that would provide amplified satellite communications signals for high quality communications world wide.
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